Expect the Expected

NFA kicker Elisa Formiglio listens as coach Jemal Davis gives a last-minute pep talk to the team in the locker room before taking the field against New London in Thanksgiving Day football action Thursday, November 22, 2012 at New London's Cannamella Field.Sean D. Elliot/The DayBuy Photo

Even when I know something is coming every once in a while I manage to be surprised.

My assignment on Thanksgiving day, the New London vs. Norwich Free Academy football game, came with an extra note to get photos of NFA's kicker, Elisa Formiglio.

Having read that I knew I would look for her on the field, when NFA scored and she took to the field to kick the extra point. I knew from watching the game stories over the season that she was having a pretty successful season as NFA's kicker.

So there I was photographing NFA coach Jemal Davis' pre-game pep talk when a face that, despite having been asked to get photos of the team's female kicker, I did not expect appeared from between a couple other players.

It took a moment for me to process that Formiglio was who she was, not a trainer or team manager, but the jersey and shoulder pads settled any question in my mind quickly.

I went on to document her play on the field, she kicked six extra points on that Thursday and kicked many more during the playoffs that followed and became the first female to play in a state championship football game when NFA fell to Xavier at UConn's Rentschler Field on December 7th.

NFA kicker Elisa Formiglio takes to the field to kick an extra point against New London in Thanksgiving Day football action Thursday, November 22, 2012 at New London's Cannamella Field.Sean D. Elliot/The DayBuy Photo

Elisa Formiglio kicks one of her four extra points against Staples in CIAC Class LL football semi-final action at Strong Stadium in West Haven Sunday, December 2, 2012.Sean D. Elliot/The DayBuy Photo

NFA's Elisa Formiglio watches one of her four extra points sail through the uprights against Staples in CIAC Class LL football semi-final action at Strong Stadium in West Haven Sunday, December 2, 2012. The Wildcats held-on for a 30-28 win over the top ranked Wreckers and advance to the class LL title game next weekend at Rentschler Field.Sean D. Elliot/The DayBuy Photo